Eetharam Bharatham Regional Network In-Charge Khammam July 15 :
Speaking at a press conference organized at the Yashoda Medical Center, Dr. Tapaswi Krishna Katragadda, Consultant Transplant Pulmonologist at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, stated that the ‘ECMO’ (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Artificial Heart-Lung Machine) method is proving to be a lifesaver (Sanjeevani) for patients in life-threatening conditions due to severe respiratory problems and complete lung failure. She explained the uniqueness of this highly complex medical procedure (ECMO Support with Lung Transplantation) and its infrastructure details. She noted that this meeting was organized to instill hope in patients with end-stage lung disease and to explain how international-standard critical care medical facilities have become accessible to patients across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Dr. Tapaswi explained that the life-saving ‘Veno-Venous ECMO’ support system is utilized when the lungs completely lose their ability to supply oxygen to the blood due to end-stage Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) or acute respiratory failure. In this method, an advanced machine outside the body functions as an artificial lung system. It draws deoxygenated blood from the body, enriches it with oxygen, removes carbon dioxide, and pumps it back into the body. She further detailed that this technology is crucial as a ‘Bridge to Transplant’ to keep patients alive until a suitable donor is found for a lung transplant.
Organ Transplantation Guided by Second-by-Second Coordination
Performing a lung transplant (Double Lung Transplant) on patients supported by ECMO is one of the most complex procedures in medical science. Overcoming severe technical risks such as blood clotting and excessive bleeding requires heart-lung specialists, anesthesiologists, and the ICU nursing team to act with split-second coordination to make this long surgical process successful. Dr. Tapaswi clarified that reaching the final stage of lung disease does not mean losing hope, as saving lives is entirely possible through advanced medical treatments backed by state-of-the-art infrastructure like ECMO.
A Successful Recovery Process
Dr. Tapaswi explained that by implementing specialized international critical care protocols post-surgery, patients are safely weaned off the ECMO machine and ventilators, allowing them to breathe independently with their new lungs. Following this, active physical rehabilitation helps patients return to leading a normal life.
Yashoda Hospitals Senior Manager Paramesh and Assistant Manager Balakrishna also participated in this event.
